Newcastle Squad Looks Stronger Than It Was Last Year

Cheick Tiote returned this week and had his first game for Newcastle on Wednesday night at Sheffield Wednesday, and the Ivory Coast International will be involved in the Schalke 04 Cup this weekend, when Newcastle play two games – one this afternoon against Malaga CF, and one tomorrow against the German hosts.

Cheick Tiote in action on Wednesday against Wednesday

Tiote has been at Newcastle for four years now, and he is one of Newcastle’s most committed players, and on his day he is a real strength in the center of midfield for the Magpies.

And it hasn’t gone unnoticed with Cheick that Newcastle have done some great business so far in this summer’s transfer window.

Cheick was asked in the Shields Gazette what the goals for Newcastle were this season:

“You never know in the Premier League, but we are working hard, and hope to have a good season.” “We just have to stay together on the pitch and try to win every game. We will see where we finish.”

“The squad looks stronger than it was last year.” “Hopefully, we will do well on the pitch this season – better than last season.”

“I think it’s good for me, and I hope I will help the team have a good season,” “We won at Wednesday, and it was a good game.” “We will continue to work hard for the new season.”

“Lots of the players were really tired, but we stayed together on the pitch. It wasn’t easy.” “The young players also did well. It’s not easy for them for come into the first team. The manager was happy with them.”

There was good news yesterday that Newcastle had agreed a loan deal to bring 23 year-old striker Facundo Ferreyra from Shakhtar Donetsk for next season for a €2M (£1.6M) loan fee, with an option to sign the striker permanently for €8M (£6.4M), if he does well.

Newcastle have already signed Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback, Remy Cabella, Siem de Jong, Emmanuel Riviere and Daryl Janmaat this summer, and it’s expected that Ferreyra will be unveiled early next week – probably on Monday.

There’s little doubt Newcastle have done well this summer, but it also seems Alan Pardew has given up on striker Loic Remy – who doesn’t seem to want to come back to Newcastle.

Silly lad.

Comments welcome.

Note: There will be a meeting with Peter Beardsley at the Green in Wardley, Gateshead on Friday 22nd August from 7:00 pm. Tickets are now available priced at approx £25, and that includes a meal, a glass of wine and a talk with Peter – if you’d like a ticket for this event please call the Green at 0191 4950171.

I think time will tell if the new squad is stronger than last season’s. So far we have replaced proven performers with players of potential, and this could all go horribly wrong. It’s quality as well as quantity we need and let’s not forget that Ashley is still well in profit on transfer dealings.

Mapou was lucky to stay on the park in the second game on tour. Because again his rash judgement jeopardises the back line.
We can ill afford to play a liability at the back as this cost us more than ever last season. We shipped goals for fun last term, And this position for me needs to be addressed as much as the CF position does.
Mapou has the talent that is clear to see, And I for one was happy when we signed him. but for whatever reason that has not transgressed onto the pitch. Whether its game time or not he looks all over the place when on the park and looks an accident waiting to happen

I’m glad we aren’t signing Remy. He simply doesn’t want to be here – he used us and Pards is right to say that we shouldn’t be treated with that degree of contempt. We have signed some proven players – Cabella, Janmaat and De Jong – and our track record is good on identifying potential. So – reasons to be cheerful. I am astonished by the negativity of some posters.

thats fair enough. I suppose we all see different things when we watch games. I will stick my neck out and say a think he will have a much better season this time, hopefully having got used to the premiership.

Deeps. My prediction – Whatever the result, however we play, whichever formation we put out, there will be some of our ‘armchair managers’ who will have a go at AP.
It’s become all too predictable and all too boring.

Was having a similar discussion last night about Remy
I think it’s gamesmanship Pardew wants him in whilst Remy is hoping a champions league come in for him
Pardew says we are moving on to try and get Remy to commit to the move
I can’t dispute he is a greedy mercenary git but he goes score goals in this league

I don’t get why people are calling Remy for not wanting to come here? It’s a fact we do not want to be in cup competitions or Europe? Nor have we shown any ambition to challenge for the league oh and we have the greediest owner in football who has spent the Cabaye and Debuchy money and not a penny more? Proof with our latest signing being on loan, He’s pocketed the TV money!

If remy decides to stay at QPR it’s either the £££££££ or arsenal and Liverpool are waiting to see how they and he does up to January. .. i hope he flops in a poor QPR side and is left to struggle in front of 17000 fans

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United, when their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Fantasy League

Mark Harding has again set up the Fantasy League for our readers for this season.

The new code is 3641-1656 and people can set up the league here:

http://fantasy.premierleague.com

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Health Update - 4 Feb, 2015

I had another battery of medical tests early last week, and the results show my PSA count as undetectable, which means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of cancer in the body.

I'm very pleased about that!

Ed Harrison

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What Is A Football Club?

“What is a club in any case?"

“Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes."

“It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city."

“It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.”